Asher Nash: a model for diversity

Asher Nash is a model for diversity. Actually, he’s a model. But he does represent a greater call for advertising agencies to promote diversity of models.

Asher Nash from Buford, Georgia, in America, has Down Syndrome. The 16-month-old boy has modeled for children’s clothing brand OshKosh B’Gosh owned by Atlanta-based Carter’s.

His mother had sent photos to an advertising agency in July, but Initially the agency wouldn’t send Asher’s photograph to companies, because they said that companies didn’t specify children with special needs.

The holiday season ad campaign for OshKosh B’Gosh, launched on 2 December 2016, is Asher’s second photo-shoot. His first photo-shoot was with Kids II in Atlanta.

His mother, Meagan, contacted a non-profit organization called Changing the Face of Beauty. Its goal is to encourage companies to value children, youth, and adults with disabilities as consumers in advertisement.

Asher’s mother posted a photo of him on the Changing the Face of Beauty page, which was shared by the Kids With Down Syndrome page. They were calling out companies for not using children with disabilities in their advertising. His photos went viral, and OshKosh B’Gosh arranged a meeting with the Nash family at the beginning of November.

Asher has now been asked to work with several brands including Oball, ingenuity, Toys “R” Us, Safety 1st, and Happy Family Brand. Asher will feature on the packaging for Oball toys in January 2017. He is also scheduled to work with the A&E network, the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) advocating awareness on inclusion through social media campaigns.

Oball released a statement saying ‘Asher was the perfect model for our Oball photo-shoot – the joy and realness he brings shines through in every photo.’

Two agencies now represent Asher Nash. J Pervis Talent in Atlanta is his main agency. His sister Addison is also a model with them. Gail Williamson with the KMR diversity department in Los Angeles also represents Asher.

So Asher Nash is fast becoming the model for diversity and social inclusion.